Novel food container assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention is food container assembly comprising, a container having a food compartment, a semi-flexible sheet fitted within the container, a doily attached to one edge of the semi-flexible sheet with the opposite edge attached to the container and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtight enclosure affixed to the flexible sheet. The doily is folded in a manner that maintains the doily under the flexible sheet and away from the food such that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from the container the doily is extended across an eating or food preparation surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/065,892 filed on Feb. 15, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention is a device for providing a clean eating surfacethat is integral to or separately provided with a food container. Moreparticularly, to an assembly comprising a doily folded in aconfiguration that when withdrawn from its packaging or from the foodcontainer expands or can be expanded on a surface providing a cleaneating area.

(2) Description of Related Art

In the convenience food or prepared food industry edible items arepackaged to keep them sanitary before eating. Packaging may also be usedfor a variety of other purposes including maintain temperature andprotect the food item from being compressed in a bag containing a numberof food items. They are often made of Styrofoam, cardboard or plastic.However, these containers or boxes can be relatively small and are madeto fit the item that they are intended to protect such as a hamburger.Other commercial providers use wrappers or bags to encase their foodprotecting it from contamination as well as to prevent liquids or oilsfrom the food getting on the hands or cloths. These wrappers aregenerally sufficient to hold the food item they are designed to encaseand are too small to provide an effective surface for eating.

Many times these food items in their protective boxes or wrappers areplaced in a bag for easy transport by the purchaser. When a cleansurface is desired the bag can be torn and expanded to cover a surface.However, this generally does not provide a sufficiently clean surfacebecause the process of tearing the bag deposits undesired bacteria fromunclean hands on the eating surface. In addition, if the bag is tornunevenly it can make the surface difficult to use effectively. The useof a napkin in expanded form on a surface also has similar difficulty ifthe hands are not cleaned before touching the napkin.

Consequently there is a need for a sanitary assembly that provides aclean eating surface for prepared food, a way of cleaning the handsbefore touching the food and other items necessary for consuming thefood.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a food container assembly comprising; acontainer having a food compartment; a semi-flexible sheet fitted withinthe container and a doily attached to one edge of said semi-flexiblesheet and an opposite edge attached to said container. The doily isfolded in a manner that maintains the doily under the flexible sheet andaway from the food housed in the container such that when the flexiblesheet is withdrawn from the container the doily is extended across aneating or food preparation surface. The semi-flexible sheet may alsohave and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealedwithin an airtight enclosure affixed to its surface.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the sealable foodcompartment is a sealable bag or box. The semi-flexible sheet may form abase platform in the container, fit within the base or be placed along aside of the sealable box or bag.

In one aspect of the invention the food container may be a sealable baghaving an interior compartment, an exterior surface, an opening end anda means for affixing the container assembly to a container on theexterior surface. The container comprises a semi-flexible sheet fittedwithin the interior compartment of the sealable bag. A doily is attachedto one edge of the semi-flexible sheet with the opposite edge attachedto the sealable bag opposite the opening end. One or more moistenedtowelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtight enclosure areaffixed to the semi-flexible sheet. The doily is folded in a manner suchthat when the semi-flexible sheet is withdrawn from the sealable bag thedoily is extended across an eating or food preparation surface.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the sealable bag isaffixed to, within or on a food container.

In another aspect of the present invention a system for providing aclean eating surface is provided comprising; a food container forcarrying food having a sealable food compartment; a semi-flexible sheetfitted within the food container; and a doily attached to one edge ofthe semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to the foodcontainer. The doily is folded in a manner that maintains the doilyunder the flexible sheet and away from the food housed in the containersuch that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn the doily is extendedacross an eating or food preparation surface. The semi-flexible sheetmay have one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealedwithin an airtight enclosure affixed to it surface.

In yet another aspect of the present invention a method for providing aclean eating or food preparation surface is disclosed comprising thesteps of; providing a food container having a sealable food compartment;affixing within the food container a semi-flexible sheet having a doilyattached to one edge of the semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edgeattached to the food container. The doily is folded in a manner thatmaintains the doily under the flexible sheet and away from the foodhoused in the container such that when the flexible sheet is withdrawnthe doily is extended across an eating or food preparation surface; andone or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within anairtight enclosure affixed to the flexible sheet and extracting thesemi-flexible sheet from the food container and depositing the doily ona surface to provide a clean eating or food preparation surface.

In still another aspect of the present invention a method for providinga clean eating or food preparation surface is disclosed comprising thesteps of providing a food container for housing food having affixedwithin or on its surface a container assembly comprising a sealable baghaving an interior compartment, an exterior surface, and an opening end;a semi-flexible sheet fitted within the interior compartment of thesealable bag; a doily attached to one edge of the semi-flexible sheetand an opposite edge attached to the sealable bag opposite the openingend the doily folded in a manner that when the semi-flexible sheet iswithdrawn from the scalable bag the doily is extended across an eatingsurface; and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealedwithin an airtight enclosure affixed to the semi-flexible sheet andextracting the semi-flexible sheet from the sealable bag and depositingthe doily on the eating or food preparation surface.

In one embodiment any of these aspects of the present invention thesemi-flexible sheet may further comprise one or more disposable foodpreparation or consumption implements affixed to it surface. Inaddition, the semi-flexible sheet may further provide one or moreadhesive pads having removable protective covers for affixing items tothe flexible sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation of one embodiment of the present inventionwherein the food container is a box or carton (A) is a perspective viewof the semi-flexible sheet and doily affixed within the front side ofthe food compartment; (B) shows the removal of the semi-flexible sheetfrom the food container releasing the doily; and (C) shows thesemi-flexible sheet with doily in its fully extended form.

FIG. 2 is a representation of another embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the food container is a sealable bag (A) is aperspective view of the semi-flexible sheet and doily affixed within thesealable bag; (B) shows the opening of the sealable bag exposing thesemi-flexible sheet (C) shows the removal of the semi-flexible sheetfrom the food container releasing the doily; and (D) shows thesemi-flexible sheet with doily in its fully extended form.

FIG. 3 is a representation of another embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the food container is a bag (A) is a perspective viewof the semi-flexible sheet and doily affixed to the exterior of the bag;(B) shows the removal of the semi-flexible sheet from the containerholding the invention and extending the doily therefrom; (C) shows theremoval of the semi-flexible sheet from the food container releasing thedoily; and (D) shows the semi-flexible sheet with doily in its fullyextended form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning asare commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which thisinvention belongs. All patents, patent applications and publicationsreferred to throughout the disclosure herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality ofdefinitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail.

The term “attached” or “affixed” as used herein refers to any means bywhich the doily can be connected to the semi-flexible sheet and the foodcontainer that prevents detachment. Preferably the doily is attached tothese elements by an adhesive.

The present invention is a food container assembly comprising; acontainer having a food compartment; a semi-flexible sheet fitted withinthe container and a doily attached to one edge of said semi-flexiblesheet and an opposite edge attached to said container. The doily isfolded in a manner that maintains the doily under the flexible sheet andaway from the food housed in the container such that when the flexiblesheet is withdrawn from the container the doily is extended across aneating or food preparation surface. The semi-flexible sheet may alsohave and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealedwithin an airtight enclosure affixed to its surface.

Container

The food container assembly 10 of the present invention may be providedfor a variety of food packaging enclosures including soft sided flexiblebag containers 20 or containers having semi-rigid walls 18. Soft-sidedflexible bags 20 include the commonly used paper or plastic bags havingan opening on one end for receiving food items (FIG. 3). This alsoincludes vacuum sealed or cellophane sealed containers that hold avariety of prepackaged food items such as cheese and crackers, fruit andvegetables, sandwiches and the like (FIG. 2). The semi-rigid containers18 include those used by the convenience food industry made of cardboardor Styrofoam (FIG. 1). One particularly common type of fast foodcontainer are those used for housing hamburgers that have an upper andlower portions hinged together such that when in the closed conformationform an enclosure for housing prepared food items.

The size of the containers in which the present device may be utilizedmay vary depending on the size or amount of food they are intended tocontain. For example, a soft-sided flexible bag 20 made of plasticcontaining two cupcakes may be provided with the food container assemblyof the present invention (see FIG. 2). In addition, a semi-rigid box 18made of cardboard for a dozen donuts may have the device of the presentinvention secured on the front interior side of the container (FIG. 3).Correspondingly, the size of the clean surface desired will depend onthe amount of size of the food provided in the container. For a plasticbag containing two cupcakes a doily sufficient to provide a lap sizedarea may be sufficient, for example an area of about one to about twosquare feet. However, for a cardboard box containing a dozen donuts asurface that covers a small tabletop may be sufficient, for exampleabout four to about nine square feet.

The food container assembly 10 of the present invention may be providedin a variety of enclosures but is preferably in a sanitary sealedpackage that may be affixed to or within a food container. The enclosurepreferably has an easy access top or end that allows the semi-flexiblesheet 12 to be removed extending the doily 14 over the eating surface.In another preferred configuration the assembly is housed in a pocketwherein the semi-flexible sheet 12 is easily accessible allowing it tobe drawn from the pocket extending the doily 14 over the eating surface(see FIG. 1). In yet another configuration the semi-flexible sheet 12acts as a semi-rigid base of the food container 18 wherein the top ofthe sheet is in contact with the food and the doily 14 is maintained onthe bottom side of the sheet away from the food. When the semi-flexiblesheet 12 is withdrawn from the food container the top side retains thefood while the doily 14 below is extended over the eating surface.

Semi-Flexible Sheet

The semi-flexible sheet 12 may be made of a variety of materials,including plastic, cardboard, or other similar material that protectsthe doily from contacting the food in the container 18. One end of thesemi-flexible sheet 12 in attached to one end of the doily 14 so thatwhen the sheet 12 is withdrawn from the packaging the doily 14 isextended over the eating surface. The semi-rigid sheet 12 may performthe functions of providing a semi-rigid support for food that may beplaced on the surface of the sheet, as a storage location for otheritems such as towelettes 16 or merely act as a pull-tab for the doily14.

The size of the flexible sheet 12 will depend generally on its function.If it is used as a support for the food in the container 18 its sizewill be sufficient for that purpose and about the size of the areaoccupied by the food item or items. For example, if the semi-flexiblesheet 12 is provided in a food container housing two cup cakes the sheetmay have the dimensions occupied by the diameters of the cupcakes. Morespecifically, if the largest diameter of one cup cake is 3 inches thesemi-flexible sheet 12 might be 3 inches in width by 6 inches in length.If the flexible sheet 12 is to be utilized as a pull-tab to extend thedoily 14 over the eating surface it may be substantially smaller. Forexample, if the flexible sheet 12 were being provided to extend a doily14 from a cardboard or plastic food container 18 it may have thedimensions of the front side of the container such as about 2 inches inwidth and 4.5 inches in length.

A number of items that may be used with or for the food in the container18 may be provided on the semi-flexible sheet 12. For example, prior totouching the food the user may consider washing his/her hands. Amoistened towelette 16 or sanitizing agent sealed in an airtightenclosure may be affixed to one side of the semi-flexible sheet 12.Correspondingly, other items including food preparation and consumptionimplements maybe provided such as for example disposable utensils, astir stick 24, a spreading stick 24, straw and adhesive pads 22 foraffixing condiment cups or other items to the semi-flexible sheet 12.These items are preferably provided on the side of the semi-flexiblesheet 12 opposite the food items.

Doily

The doily 14 may be made of a variety of materials that protect the foodfrom contact with the eating or food preparation surface and thatprevents food from leaking through the doily 14. A variety of materialsare available commercially that provide these barrier capabilitiesincluding plastics and treated papers such as polymer coated papers.Preferably these materials are sufficiently thin so that when folded thedoily 14 does not occupy a substantial volume when affixed within a foodcontainer 18.

The manner in which the doily 14 is folded will depend on the dimensionsof the food container 18 in which it is to be affixed. Preferably thedoily 14, which is attached at one end to the food container 18, isfolded in such a way that when the semi-flexible sheet 12 attached tothe other end of the doily 14 is withdrawn from the food container 18the doily 14 unfolds covering the eating surface. This is done primarilyby folding the doily 14 in an accordion configuration to prevent thedoily 14 from binding when the semi-flexible sheet 12 is extracted fromthe food container 18. In one example the center of one edge of thedoily 14 is affixed to the center of the opening of the food container18. The portions of the doily 14 that extend beyond each side of thecontainer opening are each folded inward until the doily 14 has the sameor slightly smaller dimension as the opening of the food container 18.The doily 14 is then folded in an accordion configuration with each foldhaving a dimension slightly smaller then area in the food container 18it is intended to occupy. For easy access the semi-flexible sheet 12 mayhave a pull tab, textured finger grip or aperture for gripping duringwithdrawal.

FIG. 1 shows one preferred configuration for insertion within aconvenience food box 18. The food container assembly 10 is affixedwithin the front side of the box. When opened the semi-flexible sheet 12gripping means is visible. One end of the doily 14 is affixed to thesemi-flexible sheet 12 and the other is affixed to the food containerassembly package 10. When the semi-flexible sheet 12 is extracted fromthe package the doily 14 begins to unfold. In its fully extended lengththe side of the doily 14 can then be unfolded increasing the width ofthe clean eating or food preparation surface.

FIG. 2 shows another preferred configuration used for prepared foodsealed in cellophane or plastic bags 20. In this configuration thesemi-flexible sheet 12 acts as a solid support on which to place thefood. The doily 14 is affixed at one end to the based of thesemi-flexible sheet 12 on one side of the bag while the other end isaffixed to the opposite side. The doily 14 is folded in an accordionconfiguration with the semi-flexible sheet 12 extending beyond the foldson the end of the plastic bag indicated for opening. When thesemi-flexible sheet 12 is withdrawn the doily 14 unfolds. In its fullyextended length the side of the doily 14 can then be unfolded increasingthe width of the clean eating or food preparation surface.

FIG. 3 shows another preferred configuration used for prepared foodplaced in a paper or plastic bag 20. In this configuration the packethousing, the semi-flexible sheet 12 and doily 14 is adhered to thesurface of the bag 20. The pocket may be placed on the exterior surfaceor on the interior of the bag 20. The doily 14 is affixed at one end tothe base of the semi-flexible sheet 12 on one side of the packet whilethe other end is affixed to the opposite side. The doily 14 is folded inan accordion configuration with the semi-flexible sheet 12 extendingbeyond the folds on the end of the packet indicated for opening. Whenthe semi-flexible sheet 12 is withdrawn the doily 14 unfolds. In itsfully extended length the side of the doily 14 can then be unfoldedincreasing the width of the clean eating or food preparation surface.

1. A food container assembly comprising; a container having a sealablefood compartment; a semi-flexible sheet fitted within said container; adoily attached to one edge of said semi-flexible sheet and an oppositeedge attached to said container said doily folded in a manner thatmaintains the doily under said flexible sheet and away from said food tobe housed in said container such that when the flexible sheet iswithdrawn from said container the doily is extended across an eating orfood preparation surface; and one or more moistened towelettes orsanitizing agent sealed within an airtight enclosure affixed to saidflexible sheet.
 2. A food container assembly comprising: a sealable baghaving an interior compartment, an exterior surface, an opening end anda means for affixing said container assembly to a container on saidexterior surface; a semi-flexible sheet fitted within said interiorcompartment of said sealable bag; a doily attached to one edge of saidsemi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to said sealable bagopposite said opening end said doily folded in a manner that when thesemi-flexible sheet is withdrawn from said sealable bag the doily isextended across an eating or food preparation surface; and one or moremoistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtightenclosure affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
 3. A food containerassembly according to claim 1 wherein said scalable food compartment isa sealable bag or box.
 4. A food container assembly according to claim 1wherein said semi-flexible sheet forms the base platform in saidsealable food compartment.
 5. A food container assembly according toclaim 3 wherein said flexible sheet fits within the base of said foodcompartment box.
 6. A food container assembly according to claim 3wherein said flexible fits within and up against the front side of thefood compartment box.
 7. A food container assembly according to claim 2wherein said sealable bag is affixed to a food container.
 8. A foodcontainer assembly according to claim 7 wherein said sealable bag isaffixed within or on the exterior surface of a food container.
 9. A foodcontainer assembly according to claim 1 further comprising one or moredisposable food preparation or consumption implements affixed to saidsemi-flexible sheet.
 10. A food container assembly according to claim 1further comprising one or more adhesive pads having removable protectivecovers for affixing items to said semi-flexible sheet.
 11. A foodcontainer assembly according to claim 2 further comprising one or moredisposable food preparation or consumption implements affixed to saidsemi-flexible sheet.
 12. A food container assembly according to claim 2further comprising one or more adhesive pads having removable protectivecovers for affixing items to said semi-flexible sheet.
 13. A system forproviding a clean eating or food preparation surface comprising: A foodcontainer for carrying food having a sealable food compartment; asemi-flexible sheet fitted within said food container; a doily attachedto one edge of said semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached tosaid food container said doily folded in a manner that maintains thedoily under said flexible sheet and away from food housed in saidcontainer such that when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from saidcontainer the doily is extended across an eating or food preparationsurface; and one or more moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealedwithin an airtight enclosure affixed to said flexible sheet.
 14. Asystem for providing a clean eating surface according to claim 13further comprising one or more disposable food preparation orconsumption implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
 15. A systemfor providing a clean eating surface according to claim 13 furthercomprising one or more adhesive pads having removable protective coversfor affixing items to said semi-flexible sheet.
 16. A method forproviding a clean eating surface comprising the steps of: providing afood container having a sealable food compartment; affixing within saidfood container a semi-flexible sheet having a doily attached to one edgeof said semi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to said foodcontainer said doily folded in a manner that maintains the doily undersaid flexible sheet and away from food housed in said container suchthat when the flexible sheet is withdrawn from said container the doilyis extended across an eating or food preparation surface; and one ormore moistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtightenclosure affixed to said flexible sheet; and extracting saidsemi-flexible sheet from said food container across said eating or foodpreparation surface thereby depositing said doily on said eatingsurface.
 17. A method for providing a clean eating surface according toclaim 16 further comprising one or more disposable food preparation orconsumption implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
 18. A methodfor providing a clean eating or food preparation surface according toclaim 16 further comprising one or more adhesive pads having removableprotective covers for affixing items to said semi-flexible sheet.
 19. Amethod for providing a clean eating or food preparation surfacecomprising the steps of: providing a food container for housing foodhaving affixed within or on its surface a container assembly comprisinga sealable bag having an interior compartment, an exterior surface, andan opening end; a semi-flexible sheet fitted within said interiorcompartment of said sealable bag; a doily attached to one edge of saidsemi-flexible sheet and an opposite edge attached to said sealable bagopposite said opening end said doily folded in a manner that when thesemi-flexible sheet is withdrawn from said sealable bag the doily isextended across an eating or food preparation surface; and one or moremoistened towelettes or sanitizing agent sealed within an airtightenclosure affixed to said semi-flexible sheet; and extracting saidsemi-flexible sheet from said sealable bag across said eating or foodpreparation surface thereby depositing said doily on said eatingsurface.
 20. A method for providing a clean eating surface according toclaim 19 further comprising one or more disposable food preparation orconsumption implements affixed to said semi-flexible sheet.
 21. A methodfor providing a clean eating surface according to claim 19 furthercomprising one or more adhesive pads having removable protective coversfor affixing items to said semi-flexible sheet.